In visual content creation, every element plays a crucial role in crafting a compelling and eye-catching narrative. From the choice of location to the selection of props, each aspect contributes to the overall ambiance and message conveyed through the imagery. 3D props have the the ability to add depth, context, and visual intrigue in product photography, and serve as indispensable tools for crafting captivating narratives within lifestyle imagery.
In this guide, we delve into the art of styling lifestyle photography with 3D props. Whether you're a seasoned photographer seeking to elevate your visual storytelling or a budding digital stylist or creator eager to explore new dimensions, join us as we explore techniques, tips, and creative strategies to infuse your imagery with unparalleled depth and personality. Let's embark on a journey where imagination meets innovation, and where every frame tells a compelling story.
What Is 3D Generated Content?
Officially, 3D generated content refers to computer-generated imagery (CGI) that is created using specialized software to produce three-dimensional visuals. It involves constructing virtual 3D models of objects or scenes and rendering them to create realistic and immersive imagery. To us at imagine.io, 3D content is the stunning visual imagery we produce for countless brands that engage their customers and drive sales. Our 3D generated content can be used throughout your visual content strategy, on different platforms, including in advertising, email, social media, eCommerce, and more, to bring products to life and showcase them in a visually engaging manner.
Investing in 3D technology offers a wide array of benefits. At the top of that list is the cost and time savings associated with creating your brand imagery with 3D. Compared to photography and CGI, a 3D content creation platform like imagine.io can offer time-savings of 70% and the opportunity to save 80% of the costs. Once your product is modeled in 3D, it can be easily reused or modified for different purposes without the need for reshoots or complex setups, and placed throughout our hundreds of lifestyle scenes. With 75% of online shoppers relying on product photos when deciding on a potential purchase, it makes sense to focus on creating stunning imagery that engages audiences and drives sales.
3D content can also be easily customized, allowing for quick changes in colors, materials, textures, lighting, and perspectives. Brands can experiment with different variations and tailor visuals to specific target audiences, while maintaining consistency across platforms and channels, strengthening their visual identity
3D generated content can be used to create interactive experiences, such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) applications, allowing customers to engage with products in a more immersive way.
Overall, 3D generated content provides a powerful tool for brands to enhance their visual storytelling, improve customer engagement, and efficiently showcase products or concepts with unprecedented realism and creativity.
Why You Need Lifestyle Imagery
In the context of eCommerce brands, lifestyle imagery refers to the use of photographs or visuals that depict products in real-life scenarios or aspirational settings. Instead of solely displaying the product on a plain background, lifestyle imagery places the product within a context that aligns with the target audience's lifestyle, interests, and desires.
This type of imagery aims to evoke emotions and create a connection between the product and the consumer by demonstrating how the product is used, highlighting its benefits, and showcasing its place in a desired lifestyle.
Lifestyle imagery is different from standard product images because it goes beyond simply presenting the item for sale. It tells a story, communicates a lifestyle, and aims to inspire customers to associate the brand and its products with a particular way of living or experiencing life. Visuals are processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text, while 90% of information sent to the brain is visual, adding to your product page with lifelike imagery stands only to help audiences understand and want the product. Lifestyle imagery is commonly used in various online channels, including websites, specifically online stores, social media, email marketing, advertisements, and product catalogs, to create a visually engaging and emotionally compelling shopping experience.
Using lifestyle imagery throughout product pages and marketing creative can be highly beneficial for several reasons:
Create Emotional Connections: Lifestyle imagery helps to evoke emotions and create a connection with potential customers. By showcasing products in real-life scenarios or aspirational contexts, customers can better visualize how the products fit into their own lives, leading to a stronger desire to own them. Lifestyle scenes can also be modified to fit into marketing seasons or hop on trends on social media. Easily add holiday decor to your lifestyle imagery for new, relevant visuals in minutes.
Demonstrate Product Use: Lifestyle imagery allows brands to demonstrate how their products are used in real-life situations. This can be especially important for products that require explanation or context to fully understand their value. 22% of returns occur because the product looks different in person, so employing imagery that offers a detailed view of a product makes sense for both the brand and customers alike.
Increase Engagement: High-quality lifestyle images are visually appealing and can capture the attention of visitors quickly, leading to increased engagement with the website and marketing materials. Engaged visitors are more likely to explore further and eventually make a purchase.
Build Brand Identity: Consistent use of lifestyle imagery helps in establishing a strong brand identity. When customers consistently see products presented in a particular lifestyle or aesthetic, they associate those qualities with the brand, which can lead to brand loyalty and recognition.
Boost Conversion Rates: When customers can envision themselves using a product and understand its benefits through lifestyle imagery, they are more likely to feel confident in their purchasing decision, leading to higher conversion rates.
Stand Out from Competitors: In a crowded eCommerce market, lifestyle imagery can help a brand differentiate itself from competitors who may only use standard product images. Unique and captivating lifestyle visuals can leave a lasting impression and attract customers.
Social Media Share-ability: Lifestyle images are often more shareable on social media platforms. When customers find images relatable and inspiring, they are more likely to share them with their own networks, extending the brand's reach organically.
Build Trust and Authenticity: Authentic lifestyle imagery can build trust with customers. It shows that the brand understands its audience and how the products fit into their lives. Authenticity is crucial in establishing credibility and fostering relationships with customers.
By creating and using lifestyle imagery strategically, brands can create emotional connections, build brand identity, increase engagement, and ultimately boost sales and brand loyalty.
3D Props That Will Transform Your Lifestyle Imagery
With tens of thousands of props at your creative disposal on imagine.io, you’ll always find something to add to your product’s lifestyle shots. We’ve narrowed it down to a list of eight 3D props that you can find in our prop library to truly transform your lifestyle imagery and take it to the next level. Let’s get into it.
Wall Decor
This one seems obvious, but hear us out. The way your lifestyle imagery is crafted says more than you think about your product, and the decor you choose for the walls is all part of that. A simple switch can completely change the look and feel of a room that’s housing your product, for better or worse. Switch up the wall decor depending on your target audience, the marketing season, and more. On imagine.io, choose from paintings, wall hangings and even mirrors to add that extra special touch to your lifestyle imagery.
Window Coverings
Adding a window covering to your lifestyle scene not only adds context and realism but can complement your product. The drapery you select helps create the scene you’re selling your product and the literal light it’s shown in. Add a light, gauzy curtain to let the sunlight in and illuminate the scene. Or, choose a heavier, dramatic drape to create depth and moodiness in your imagery.
Outdoor Accessories
We couldn’t create a list of our top 3D props during summertime and not include all the outdoor accessories we have to offer! Whatever patio product you’re selling, our outdoor templates and props will bring it to life. From pool loungers to barbecues, imagine.io platform users have full creative control over their brand imagery, setting their seasonal marketing efforts up for success.
Lighting
Adding lighting and lamps in lifestyle imagery is crucial as they play a significant role in enhancing the overall atmosphere, setting the mood, and emphasizing product features, resulting in more appealing and captivating visuals that resonate with the audience.
Rugs
Dress up your floors with hundreds of rug options right at your fingertips. Incorporating rugs in your lifestyle imagery adds warmth, texture, and a sense of coziness.
Decorative Goods
Add the ultimate finishing touches to your lifestyle imagery on the imagine.io platform. Drag and drop a variety of decor and home accessories that make your scene look truly inviting and lived-in. Set the scene by adding coffee table books, candles, vases, and more to your visuals, crafting a compelling narrative that shows exactly who your product is for and why they want to buy it.
Greenery
Calling all plant parents! Your green thumbed-shoppers will appreciate the added flowers and greenery in your lifestyle imagery, making it relatable and fostering an added emotional connection to your product.
Household Items & Appliances
A house isn’t a home without your coffee maker? Or something like that… Adding products, appliances and other accessories to your lifestyle imagery adds a layer of homey-ness that makes your imagery relatable and aspirational. These items that seem insignificant alone can make a huge difference in the overall impact your image has when it’s viewed by your audience. The more authentic you can create your visuals to be, the more shoppers will feel a level of trust with your brand and be encouraged to make a purchase.
How To Leverage Lifestyle Imagery To Drive Sales
Once your imagery is created, how do you use it to maximize results? From integrating your product into the scenes that make the most sense for who you’re selling to in a certain campaign to using your imagery to craft a compelling story, creating an emotional connection to your product with customers, you have options in how you employ 3D content to drive sales.
An easy avenue when using lifestyle imagery is showing the product in real-life situations where they naturally fit. For example, when selling a lamp, place the lamp in a lifestyle scene in imagine.io with an inviting sofa and chair that highlight the lamp’s shade color. Add in decor based on who your targeted campaign is selling to in order to drive home the idea that your product will fit perfectly into the customers lifestyle. Brands can also use lifestyle imagery that aligns with the aspirations and desires of the target audience. Showcase how the product can help customers achieve their goals or aspirations, whether it's related to style, travel, or other lifestyle elements.
A huge part of selling online involves creating connections and a story around the product being sold. According to Harvard professor Gerald Zaltman, 95% of purchase decisions are based on emotional factors, taking place subconsciously. Crafting a compelling story using lifestyle imagery creates that emotional connection for shoppers, encouraging them to remember and purchase your product.
Marketers may also conduct A/B testing with different lifestyle images to identify which ones resonate the most with the target audience and lead to higher conversions. Using this data, brands can continuously optimize and refine based on the results, improving conversions and overall sales. On the topic of data, brands can use data-driven personalization in their lifestyle imagery to show relevant campaign creative based on individual customer preferences and behavior. Personalized experiences can increase engagement and drive sales.
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Finally, lifestyle imagery can and should be incorporated throughout a brand's social media, whether that be organic or paid. Social platforms offer highly targeted advertising options to reach specific demographics and a chance to increase brand awareness while building a strong community who eventually turn into customers.
By leveraging lifestyle imagery in these strategic ways, brands create stronger emotional connections with their audience, inspire trust and authenticity, and ultimately drive higher conversion rates and sales. Remember that the key is to understand the target audience's aspirations, values, and preferences to align the lifestyle imagery effectively with their lifestyles.
